Footmarking, a tool by Brightsource to allow organisations to measure their environmental impact, Charity Challenge, a company which specialises in organising UK charity challenge trips, and re-usable banners, a product of Griffin Designs, were all assessed in the Innovation Zone that took place on 9th October 2008.
Suppliers looking to take part in the next Innovation Zone are invited to submit their products by 23rd January 2009.
Three suppliers took part, presenting their products for review and assessment:
Footmark reports on the carbon impact of an activity, providing a life cycle analysis. It allows organisations to track the carbon footprint of their activities. The current system focuses on carbon footprinting but it is hoped in the future that it will be applied to measuring impact on water and energy.
- Charity Challenge marketing tools
The company, which runs about 100 challenges a year, has developed a range of online marketing tools which can be customised to individual charities. The tools included in the package include pre-prepared enquiry answers, standard posters, e-brochures and newsletters which can be made charity specific whilst also giving charities access to an image gallery and statistical reports.
- Griffin Designs re-usable banners
Saving charities money and reducing landfill, the reusable banners offered by Griffin Designs are produced on either flexible or rigid vinyl. The banner design is produced using a very thin vinyl, which can be removed when heated or wiped with a chemical mixture. Consequently, banners can then be reused by the purchase of new letters or numbers or returning the banner to Griffin Designs for a re-strip.
The panel gave each product a rating on the scale of 1-5, (1*-low, 5*****-high).
Brightsource
Practical application ****
Innovation *****
Fundraising Potential *
Charity Challenge
Practical application ****
Innovation ***½
Fundraising Potential **
Re-usable Banners
Practical application ***
Innovation **
Fundraising Potential **½
Megan Pacey, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the Institute of Fundraising says:
'Fundraising organisations are constantly looking for new methods to raise vital funds and innovative ways to engage supporters. These showcased products have the potential to help fundraising organisations achieve this, even if not through soliciting donations directly.
'The variety of products presented demonstrates the diverse and imaginative ways that organisations can engage with supporters which may ultimately help them to fundraise more effectively.'
The findings of the Innovation Zone Panel have been published in a full report, exclusively for Organisational members of the Institute of Fundraising. A summary report is available for all interested parties.
The Innovation Zone is a regular schedule of bi-annual events. Suppliers and Organisational members who would like to take part or find out more are invited.
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For further information please contact:
Diana Mackie Tel. 020 7840 1027 / 07793 802 852
Institute of Fundraising
